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If it should be I grow frail and weak
And pain prevents my peaceful sleep.
Then you must do what must be done
When this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad, I understand.
Selfishness might stay your hand.
But on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship take the test.

We've had so many happy years
That what's to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer. So,
When the time comes, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend.
Only -- stay with me until the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me.
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know, in time, you, too, will see
It is a kindness that you do for me.
Although my tail it's last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Do not grieve it should be you.
Who must decide this thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years......
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

----Aileen

cavaliers at the bridge Mattie and Rocky & Sam & Jake
Better to light a candle for one lost dog than to curse the darkness of man's indifference. Saving just one dog won't change the world but it surely will change the world for that one dog.

As many of you may already have seen, we are currently going through the agony of losing our precious old lady, Megan, after 12 long years of faithful companionship to her humans and devoted care of countless dogs who have passed by, whether as permanent residents or temporary guests.

She arrived with us at the age of 5 months in April 1999, primarily as a companion for our then old girl, Louie. But she was immediately thrown into the demands of TLC and motivator when I found myself hospitalised for cancer surgery and chemotherapy. It worked – I recovered!

Since then she has continued to be our most treasured darling – always independent of spirit, always calm and dignified in the face of troubled times, always giving selflessly of herself to those in need of guidance and reassurance. We thought we were so lucky when she appeared to have no sign of heart disease, and did not worry unduly when we realised she had gone totally deaf, until the dreadful day in 2006 when we realised that she was in fact suffering from the scourge of SM.

However, Megan was not one to give up unnecessarily! With the brilliant help and treatment of our wonderful vet, with all the support and advice from this forum, with good food, gentle exercise and a full diary of looking after others, Megan continued to live her extraordinary life.

And now that it is over, she is still helping others, because I registered her with the Cavalier Collection Scheme, and, thanks to Margaret’s good offices and the dedication of several researchers, our lovely girl is doing her bit to help solve the mysteries of some of the terrible diseases which have struck our beloved Cavaliers.

So, my darling Megan, we bid you farewell and a sweet good night, and will always hold you tight in our hearts, though we shall terribly miss……….

I fell in love with Megan through Marie-Anne's beautiful photos and stories about her - Marie-Anne and I became close after the loss of my Ruby, Teddy - another very special Cavalier.

I am so sad that I did not get to meet Megan, her wonderful nature and joy for life shines out in the photos, she was such a very special friend to you through some very difficult times, and to all your house guests and companions over the years.

Your tribute is just lovely - I heard today a description of empathy - your pain in my heart - and that seems so appropriate.

I wanted to share this with you:

Tribute to a best friend

Sunlight streams through window pane
unto a spot on the floor....
then I remember,
it's where you used to lie,
but now you are no more.
Our feet walk down a hall of carpet,
and muted echoes sound....
then I remember,
It's where your paws would joyously abound.
A voice is heard along the road,
and up beyond the hill,
then I remember it can't be yours....
your golden voice is still.
But I'll take that vacant spot of floor
and empty muted hall
and lay them with the absent voice
and unused dish along the wall.
I'll wrap these treasured memorials
in a blanket of my love
and keep them for my best friend
until we meet above.